Hi,

My husband and I are planning a week long trip to Alaska in September. We have relatives in Anchorage so we are hoping to use ther home as a base camp for a least part of the trip. I'm having trouble figuring out what order of activies/desitnations would be best so that we can stay with them as many nights as possible and still get out and do stuff.

Here is what I am thinking, suggestions are welcome.
Day 1: Arrive evening in ANC
Day 2: Spend day in Anchorage- maybe do city bike ride?
Day 3: Take train to Whittier and do 26 Glacier Cruise- package deal at akrr.com
Day 4: Day trip to Glacier- either Exit or Matanuska (preferences?)
Day 5: Drive to Denali- go through Hatcher's pass- anything else we can do a long the way?
Day 6: Spend the day at Denali
Day 7: Back to Anchorage, flight leaves at 11pm

I'm thinking 2 days in Anchorage might be too much time. Is there another day trip we could do on day 2 and then do bike ride on day 7? Any chance we could do Denali during the day and still drive back to Anchorage that night? Thanks for the help!

When in September are you going?

For Denali, you need to consult the park website for information on the shuttle bus system. Through September 17, you can only enter the park by shuttle bus, and generally you need to make reservations in advance (although September may not be as crowded as earlier in the season). From Sept. 18 -21, the road is open to cars with permits, but there is a "road lottery" to determine who gets those permits. Applications for the lottery were due by June 30, so it's too late to enter that.

Hopefully someone will explain further about the shuttle bus, but in the meantime, I think you need to plan for two nights and a full day there, not trying to drive back to Anchorage the same day.

We are going the 10th-16th, so we'll just make the shuttle (we actually planned it that way). Hopefully the weather will cooperate

Exit glacier is not a day trip, nor worth the 6 hour round trip drive. Seward is a highlight- IF you have other touring interests?? If you do, then you also will need an overnight there.

I would, however, head to Denali Park first. You are already likely to encounter snow in there, earlier in your timeframe can be a better choice.

Compare the "package" deal, It's only a 1 1/4 hour drive to Whittier, plus tunnel time, and having a car and the ability to stop along the Arm is superior to taking the train. The route is totally parallel the entire way.

You could also drive Hatcher Pass the round trip from Anchorage your first day, less than an hour away. You do have to access on the Palmer side.

Thanks BudgetQueen. I was thinking the train ride to Whittier sounded like fun and it would be nice for neither of us to be in charge of directions for a day. Is the flexibility of the car really worth it?

Would Matanuska be a better day trip to see a glacier up close? My relatives had suggested Exit as a day trip but any advice would be great.

I think doing Hatcher Pass on a seperate day may be a good idea. What can we see along the way? I've read there is mining to see ? Thanks!

The "directions" is a single direct road, Anchorage/Whittier. The train takes long, and you have no option for stopping. There are several pulls, with interesting information.

You are looking for glacier trekking??

Yes there is Independence Mine at Hatcher Pass.

Not really trekking. I know on Exit you can walk out on to the glacier for a bit- I haven't researched the other option at all yet. That's all I was thinking.

I didn't think the directions would be tricky But my husband hates driving and I think we'd both like a day off from it. I don't mind taking the whole day to do the train and cruse combo.

The train ride to Whittier is beautiful, however, unless you plan on fishing or taking sight-seeing tour in Whittier, there is nothing to do. Not a sales pitch because I own/operate a fishing charter, but because I head home to Anchorage as soon as I am done for the day. The Anton Tunnel is N. America's longest tunnel, it is 2.7 miles long. The tunnel opens to traffic every morning entering Whittier at 5:30am until 10:30pm (every hour at the bottom of the hour for 15 minutes). To exit Whittier, the tunnel opens at 6:00am until 11:00pm (every hour atop of the hour for 15 minutes). Although the tunnel was built for trains, it does not always have the right of way. If an abundance of traffic on either side is waiting to enter/exit, the train waits, especially a train with few tourist as compared to a parking lot of tourist wanting to catch the ferry, sight-seeing or charter boat.

You don't have to worry about snow this time of year in Denali National Park. Currently firefighters are working on extinguishing 79 active fires throughout the state to include fires around and in the park. As far as am I aware, the park is open and the fires are not hindering traveler from taking the tours.

Exit Glacier would be a better visit that the Matanuska Glacier. Exit Glacier is literally only minutes from Seward where all services are abundant and can be found. The Matanuska Glacier is 106 miles north of Anchorage and very few services are offered within 30 minutes of either direction of the Glacier. Also you mention your husband hates driving, one more reason not to visit the Matanuska Glacier; over half the drive is two lanes with hairpin curves, steep grades and the hwy was just closed yesterday due to flooding and mud.